Book Review: Undetected by Dee Henderson
Book Description:
When asked what he does for a living . . .
Commander Mark Bishop is deliberately low-key: “I’m in the Navy.” But commanding the ballistic missile submarine USS Nevada, keeping her crew trained and alert during ninety-day submerged patrols, and being prepared to launch weapons on valid presidential orders, carries a burden of command like few other jobs in the military. Mark Bishop is a man who accepts that responsibility, and handles it well. And at a time when tensions are escalating around the Pacific Rim, the Navy is glad to have him.Mark wants someone to come home to after sea patrols. The woman he has in mind is young, with a lovely smile, and very smart. She’s a civilian, yet she understands the U.S. Navy culture. And he has a strong sense that life with her would never be boring. But she may be too deep in her work to see the potential in a relationship with him.
Gina Gray would love to be married. She has always envisioned her life that way. A breakup she didn’t see coming, though, has her focusing all her attention on what she does best–ocean science research. She’s on the cusp of a major breakthrough, and she needs Mark Bishop’s perspective and help. Because what she told the Navy she’s figured out is only the beginning. If she’s right, submarine warfare is about to enter a new and dangerous chapter.
I’m a Dee Henderson fan and can breeze through her books in no time. I have to confess, I really struggled with Undetected.
I love the Navy premise and how Gina has a project that could change everything in submarine warfare. That right there sets up some amazing suspense. When you add a Navy man who is great at what he does, is close to Gina’s brother, and looking to change his single status, that’s a romance that could write itself.
Undetected fell short for me because the Navy aspect overshadowed the suspense and romance I was waiting to read. I love military fiction but this was full of lingo that I think only current military and veterans would understand. It goes into quite a bit of depth. It was over my head and for me, pulled the pacing way down.
I kept waiting for the suspense, the conflict in the back cover description is amazing. I couldn’t wait to get into the suspense and it just didn’t happen for me. The romance didn’t really click, either.
I think if you are a reader with a passion for military so rich that you understand the daily schedules, rituals, and language of the Navy life who wants to read an intriguing idea about submarine warfare with a little romance, this is for you.
To purchase Undetected, click here.
I received a copy of Undetected from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.